Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan, last week, paid a visit to development partners in Tamale, Yendi, Buipe, and Salaga, affirming the United States’ commitment to Peacebuilding and development in the Northern Region.
She held meetings with, Mr Shanui Alhassan Shaibu, the Northern Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council, as well as representatives of the Northern Regional Peace Council and West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP).
The Ambassador met with traditional leaders including the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Abukari II, Mion Lana Abdulai Mahamadu, Paramount Chief of Buipe, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, and Paramount Chief of Salaga, Kpembewura Bangabe Ndefuso IV.
She congratulated the Northern Regional Peace Council and WANEP on their work and urged them to continue building community resilience, reinforcing social cohesion, and help individuals to reject extremism.
The Ambassador highlighted United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects and pledged to support initiatives meant to equip traditional authorities and Regional Peace Councils with skills and knowledge to mediate conflicts in their jurisdictions.
Mrs Sullivan visited the Buipe Port in the Savannah Region where USAID’s West Africa Trade and Investment Hub is supporting businesses in the north to develop export partnerships to access international markets.
The Ambassador again visited a new Trauma and Emergency Ward at the Yendi Government Hospital being constructed by Mission:318, a private U.S. charitable organisation that has provided medical services and supplies to the Yendi community for more than 10 years.
“Americans’ deep connection with Ghanaians is not just about the strong and enduring partnership with the U.S. Government. Mission:318 models many of the values of the American people – sharing the fruits of our prosperity and helping others to help themselves,” she said.
Coinciding with the start of Women’s History Month, the Ambassador further met with six female alumni of U.S. exchange programmes, focused on peace and security, countering extremism, and empowering civil society.

By Spectator Reporter